Her sources of information were even wider than hers.
After receiving the message from the Desert Market and verifying it through her unique channels, Professor Ye was certain that a Mercury workshop must exist within that Crack Realm, and it even preserved the final works he had left behind.
If it could be unearthed, it would undoubtedly be a rare treasure!
Unfortunately, Professor Ye really had no interest at all.
"It's quite simple. I'm not impressed,"
Professor Ye said while sipping her strong tea, mockingly, "Alchemy isn't like the magic in fantasy novels, where the older it is, the stronger it gets. Expecting to achieve success by digging things up, replacing research with grave robbing, you might as well simply follow Ether.
If you rely blindly on other things and fail to take your own step in the history of alchemy, then don't ever expect to reach the realm of a Great Grandmaster in this lifetime.
This is also a lesson for you, Ji Jue. If you want to accomplish something if you want to take control of your own life and future, then don't expect that a grandpa resurrected from a tomb will give you any good fruit to eat, understand?"
Ji Jue nodded frantically.
There was no help for it.
The harsh lessons of history were all too many; just by looking at the encyclopedia of alchemical products through the ages, he had already lost all faith in the moral standards of ancient craftsmen.
Alchemy, good, person, it's damn bad!
"The situation is roughly like this. I can't guarantee the internal details, after all, no matter how safe the Crack Realm, it remains a Crack Realm. Whether you go or not is up to you,"
Professor Ye said at last, "Your decision will not affect your treatment and learning. Matrices are not rare, and even without Non-attack, with your qualifications, you can find better ones."
Ji Jue fell into silence.
There were several times when Ye Chun seemed to want to say something, but under Professor Ye's gaze, ultimately never spoke.
Until Ji Jue sighed.
"To be honest, I'm a bit scared, but I want to go even more."
He lifted his head and answered frankly, "Things I've never seen before, incidents I've never encountered, situations I've never understood, I'm curious about all of them."
"That's good."
After a brief silence, Ye Xian nodded slightly, "Staying cooped up in Cliff City's little plot, one cannot expand one's mind or capacity. It makes one seem petty and not ready for the big stage. This journey is at least a chance to broaden your horizons.
Don't worry about what Kong Qingyan might do. As long as I live, she wouldn't dare to mistreat you.
As for this, take it with you."
Saying so, she took a round object from her pocket and tossed it over. Ji Jue caught it hurriedly, his previously bright expression instantly stiffening.
It was the Ghost Work Ball that had pilfered his spiritual materials countless times.
[Ah, little brother, it's you again?] A phantasmic voice emerged from the Ghost Work Ball, obnoxiously, [Sweet, you've lasted quite a while. I thought you'd be kicked out in the first week.]
Can't you wish something good for me!
Ji Jue's eyelid twitched, and the Ghost Work Ball itself continued to rotate, greeting with a full-on ruffian air, [Alright, since it's ended up in your hands, let's get along, bro. Bring me some more spiritual materials and I've got your back!]
And then, there was no response.
Ji Jue was still uncertain, "Professor, this is..."
"Consider it a gofer for now, a helper I made when I was young. With your abilities, communication shouldn't be a problem. If you encounter something you don't understand, just ask it.
Aside from acting as a mobile workshop to help you with temporary issues, its more important role is to help you break the workshop's outer seals, so you're not groping around the doorway, having found the place but not knowing how to get in or where things are."
Professor Ye spoke indifferently, "When necessary, it can barely save your life, but by then, you can forget about exploring any Crack Realm.
Once it takes over control, it will bring you straight back."
Got it, a universal lock-picking tool cum life-saving artifact!
Even without fully grasping the significance of a 'mobile workshop', Ji Jue's eyes lit up.
Now looking at the Ghost Work Ball in his hand, it seemed more and more appealing, and he even felt the urge to wipe off a speck of dust that had landed on it.
What 'lousy ball'? This is my bro, Ball!
Bro Ball is great beyond words!
And after deciding to send out Ji Jue, the wandering little frog, to send back postcards for herself, Professor Ye didn't dawdle and began making arrangements directly.
She made a straight call to Wen Wen's phone.
"Ms. Wen, I have a question," she asked directly, "A Crack Realm containing the relics of a Saint is about to appear within Hai Province these days, right?"
"..."
Amidst the noisy background on the other end, there seemed to be a sigh of resignation from the big sister, "The Security Bureau is truly a sieve, leaking from all sides... Does Master Ye have an interest?"
"I do indeed."
"Alright, I'll submit the report by tonight at the latest, to avoid any unwelcome interference."
"No rush," said Professor Ye, "Also, it's not me who wants to join, it's my student, Ji Jue."
"...Are you serious?"
After a brief pause, accompanied by a loud crash, Wen Wen's voice, full of surprise, resounded, "That kid has only been a Chosen One for so short a time, there's no need to seek a blessing so soon, right?"
"He has the capability, so there's no need to delay," Professor Ye replied, "Rest assured, I wouldn't treat such a matter as a picnic."
"Since you say so, just a moment—there, it's done."